Come join us for an in-person guided tour of the Nitobe Memorial Garden, one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. Carefully cultivated to provide year-round beauty, the garden is especially photogenic in spring and fall when colourful cherry blossoms and maple leaves brighten the tranquil pathways.
“I am in Japan.” These words were spoken by Emperor Akihito—as he walked through the garden.
Nitobe Memorial Garden celebrates the memory of Dr. Inazō Nitobe (1862-1933), a remarkable Japanese figure whose goal was “to become a bridge across the Pacific.” Throughout his life, Dr. Nitobe strove to promote a better understanding of Japanese culture in the West at a time when Japan was inconceivably foreign in the minds of most Westerners. Nitobe Memorial Garden was created as a memorial to Dr. Nitobe and his dream. The garden can be seen as a bridge connecting cultures: visitors from around the world meet and learn about each other and Japanese culture. Nitobe Memorial Garden was designed to create a reverence for and sense of harmony with nature. The garden is beautiful in all weather and highlights the passing of the seasons: cherry blossoms shower the garden in spring, irises bloom in summer, maple leaves glow red and yellow in fall. Trees—both native and Japanese—are pruned in the Japanese tradition to frame the garden in winter. No matter what time of year, carpets of moss, bridges that span a koi pond and iris bed, and stone paths that cross waterfalls, create a peaceful atmosphere that invites the visitor to reflect on both the beauty of nature and its place in their lives.
Details
Date: April 16, Wednesday from 1-2 PM
Cost: 10$ per person to be paid at tour.
Location: 1895 Lower Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 at UBC Vancouver
Accepted payment methods are cash, or cheque addressed to ‘UBC BC Brain Wellness Program’
Note: The tour will involve standing and moving around. Much of the garden is accessible by wheelchair or motorized cart for guests with accessibility needs. However, due to the nature of the landscape, some pathways are irregularly graded and topped with wood chips or loose gravel. If you have any questions about accessibility, please send us an email at brain.wellness@ubc.ca
Please note that the spots are limited!